Here to answer all questions about Japanese Maples

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Permalink Reply by Bridget Risdon on April 21, 2009 at 3:08pm

Question: I recently bought a new house and have multiple trees that need pruning - specifically, an older Japanese Maple. Can you recommend someone locally that would be willing to walk me thru the pruning process?

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Permalink Reply by Tim Nichols on April 21, 2009 at 11:11pm

It's already too late to prune for this year. I would wait until the fall after the leaves fall off or next spring before the leaves come off. If you prune your Japanese maple now, it will not look good all year long and you will stunt your tree.

When the leaves are not on the tree, you can prune the Japanese Maple to the shape you like, however I suggest never pruning anything larger than a pencil because of how long it takes a Maple to grow back out. Be mindful though, that by pruning a Japanese maple too much, you will be losing the Japanese nature of the tree. There are almost a thousand varieties of Japanese maples and all maples have different shapes and forms.

If your tree is similar to an upright Bloodgood Japnese maple that looks like the picture below

then your tree is more than likely going to grow into an upright tree. Many people try to cut these back hoping that they will weep similar to many laceleaf maples. It is best to know the variety of maple you own and prune it to accent its natural growth.

If you pruning the maple due to twig die back, feel free to trim off any twigs on the new grow that have hardened and turned gray. When doing this after the leaves have came out, make sure you leave a small part (1/2 inch) of the dead growth so that your tree is not stunted back. It is actually best to prune the dead growth in small lengths to ensure that you pruning the maple evenly and that you are not pruning live (green on the inside) growth.

Hope this helps! If you would like to tell me the nature of this pruning and/or the variety of maple I can help you with more specifics.

Thanks for the question,

Tim Nichols

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Permalink Reply by Doug on April 21, 2009 at 3:52pm

Can I hang weights (like plastic easter eggs filled with dirt) on the branches to make it a 'weeping' Jap map?

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Permalink Reply by Tim Nichols on April 21, 2009 at 11:18pm

I would suggest not adding weights, as this could damage your maple. Weights often get moved or sway in the wind which can lead to some of the limbs breaking.

If you want to train an Upright Japanese Maple to have weeping characteristics, you can an old garden hose and cut it into 3 inch-8 inch pieces (depending on the caliper of the limbs on the tree you are shaping). Then run a small rope through the cut pieces, using the rubber hose as a cushion to keep the rope from cutting into your maple. Steak the rope to attain the desired shape.

Hope this helps!

Tim Nichols

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on April 21, 2009 at 7:49pm

Hi Tom, aren't you the owner Nichols Nursery, which specializes in japanese maples? If so, you're gearing up for a very busy weekend with the Blue Ridge Horticultural Association show and sale this weekend @ The WNC Farmers Market.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Nichols on April 21, 2009 at 11:23pm

My father is the owner of Nichols Nursery which specializes in Japanese maples and yes, we are going to have a very big show at Shed 13 at the WNC Farmer's Market this weekend. There will be a huge selection of plants from local growers. Please come out to the WNC Farmer's Market on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm to support the local farmers and make your yard look spectacular this year!

Click Here for directions!

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on April 22, 2009 at 12:55pm

I'd like every business owner on GardenAsheville to note that this is a proper use of the site as a way to share information, not specifically promote your business. Thank you, Tim. Good participation.

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